JapanJapan has been known for having both a rich set of traditions while also rapidly modernizing, especially during the late 20th century. It appears that Japan is able to live within these two worlds, but in reality, there are growing gaps between generations. The next generation thinks differently about worldviews, values, lifestyles and more. We pray that this research will allow older generations to take a glimpse into what is happening in the lives of teens today. Japanese culture values kindness and harmony with others. While these are good values, the reality is that most of Japan has never heard the Gospel. Beneath the surface of a friendly culture, Japanese teens are experiencing much pain and suffering. Without Jesus, there is very little to deter young people from attractive, but harmful, new trends that come in their direction. We know what they truly need is not good values, but a biblical foundation. We, the Japanese Church, have lost touch with the next generation. This report can be our first step to connect, listen, and pray for the young people in our country. By reading this research, you will realize that so many of our young people are living in darkness - but it is exactly when we are helpless that we are carried by the grace of God and given hope through His Word. “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

S U M M A R Y

C H R I S T I A N 1 0 %

N O R E L I G I O N

6 6 % OT H E R R E L I G I O N 2 5 %

A B O U T T H E G L O B A L S T U D Y A B O U T T H E J A P A ND A T A

14 LANGUAGES

20 COUNTRIES

8,394 TEENS SURVEYED

70 QUESTIONSURVEY

425 TEENS SURVEYED

R E L I G I O U S G R O U P S

5% of teens surveyed were Catholic

Believe God exists and they can have a personal relationship with Him

Believe Jesus is the Son of God

Believe that forgiveness of sins is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ

Believe the Bible is the Word of God

Read Scripture on their own at least weekly

Pray at least weekly

* Note that these teens self-identified as Christian, but not as Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon. Committed Christians may be Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, Orthodox, or a number of other denominations. Any teen who did not display one or more of these six traits was considered to be a nominal Christian.

6 T R A I T S O F C O M M I T T E D C H R I S T I A N S

1% of teens surveyed in Japan were discovered

to be committed Christians.

9% were discovered to be Nominal Christians.

2

S U M M A R Y

21% of teens were Buddhist

CHRISTIANNO

RELIGIONOTHER

RELIGION

AT LEAST WEEKLY

ATTENDING RELIGIOUS SERVICES

READING RELIGIOUS

SCRIPTURE ON THEIR OWN

PRAYING

MONTHLY OR SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR

GLOBAL

NEVER

R E L I G I O U S H A B I T S

Religious Attitudes and Behaviors

“My faith beliefs or spiritual journey are an important part of my identity.”

38% 62%

AGREE DISAGREE

20% 32% 49% 5% 16% 79% 1% 4% 95%

27% 49% 24% 10% 29% 62% 2% 11% 87%

22% 42% 37% 7% 26% 67% 1% 3% 96%

21% 27% 52%

42% 24% 35%

27% 31% 43%

3

Japanese teens’ responses:

Personal Struggles and Experiences

“I believe all religions teach equally valid truths”

46%

34%

CHRISTIANS NON-CHRISTIANS

CHRISTIANS OTHER RELIGION NO RELIGION

DepressionHigh Anxiety Suicidal Thoughts

Pornography Usage

Attempted Suicide

48%51%54%

Loneliness

A L M O S T H A L F O F C H R I S T I A N T E E N S I N J A PA N B E L I E V E A L L R E L I G I O N S T E A C H E Q U A L LY VA L I D T R U T H S .

4

SHARING THEIR FAITH 42% 24% 34% 13% 16% 71% 11% 5% 84% 32% 33% 35%

AT LEAST MONTHLY SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR NEVER

ALL TEENS

49%

70%76%

68%71%

79%

86%

78%81%

15%23%

12% 17%2%7%5% 3%

21%16%

27%20%

G E N D E R A N D S E X U A L I T Y

Felt sexually attracted to someone of the same gender recently

24%

14%

Experienced gender identity confusion recently

Been sexually active recently (unmarried youth)

29%

11%

CHRISTIANS

ALL TEENS

13%9%

Digital Connectedness and Impact

Japanese teens spend an average of 6 hours and 4 minutes online every day, compared to 7 hours and 23 minutes among teens surveyed globally.

D A I L Y O N L I N E A C T I V I T I E S

5

JAPAN

GLOBAL

0:49

2:22

1:59

2:10

1:30

1:30

2:07

1:38

CHATTING

VIDEOS

GAMING

SOCIAL

MEDIA

JAPAN6 HRS 4 MINS

Identity and Relationships

Overall, my family experience has been good.

76% 24%AGREE DISAGREE

The sex a person was born as

18%

A person’s feelings, desires or sexual attraction

80%

The way society sees a person

3%

W H A T D O Y O U T H I N K G E N D E R I S P R I M A R I L Y B A S E D O N ?

Should marriage be exclusively between a

man and a woman?

YES NO MAYBE

1 5 %

7 0 %

15%

Japanese teens’ responses:

6

Influences and Guiding Voices

M E A N I N G O F L I F E

FA M I LY M E M B E R S 39%1

S O C I A L M E D I A / O N L I N E 27%2

F R I E N D S / P E E R S 22%3

T E A C H E R S / C O U N S E LO R S 6%4

O F F L I N E M E D I A 5%5

R E L I G I O U S L E A D E R S / T E X T S 1%6

R I G H T A N D W R O N G

FA M I LY M E M B E R S 37%1

R E L I G I O U S L E A D E R S / T E X T S 1%

2 F R I E N D S / P E E R S 26%

3

T E A C H E R S / C O U N S E LO R S 7%

4

S O C I A L M E D I A / O N L I N E 21%

5

O F F L I N E M E D I A 8%

6

W h e r e d o y o u g o m o s t o ft e n f o r i n f o r m a ti o n o r g u i d a n c e a b o u t t h e m e a n i n g o f l i f e?

W h e r e d o y o u g o m o s t o ft e n f o r i n f o r m a ti o n o r g u i d a n c e a b o u t w h a t i s r i g h t a n d w r o n g ?

G E N D E R & S E X U A L I T Y

S O C I A L M E D I A / O N L I N E 53%1

F R I E N D S / P E E R S 20%2

FA M I LY M E M B E R S 11%3

T E A C H E R S / C O U N S E LO R S 6%

4

R E L I G I O U S L E A D E R S / T E X T S 1%

5

O F F L I N E M E D I A 9%

6

W h e r e d o y o u g o m o s t o ft e n f o r i n f o r m a ti o n o r g u i d a n c e a b o u t g e n d e r, s e x u a l i t y, o r o t h e r s e x u a l i s s u e s ?

Visit globalyouthculture.net for more information.